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Jill Atwood ReportingIn a shocking case of sexual assault on a high school baseball trip to St. George, Tooele High athletes are suspected of forcing themselves on a young woman and videotaping the entire assault.
Eyewitness News uncovered the investigation into what's being called a disturbing and heinous crime. Just today police in Tooele and in Southern Utah called for a full scale criminal investigation.
This case involves several members of the Tooele High School Baseball team. Rumors of what happened finally made their way to the police department; detectives called the school right away. As it turns out, the school already knew about it and had the evidence.
In early March the Buffalo's Baseball Team went to St. George for a Tournament. Washington County Sheriff's department confirms the incident happened in a motel room just outside of St. George in Washington City. Now over two months later details are just starting to surface, but talk in the town suggests the police may have been the last to know.
Ron Kirby, Chief, Tooele Police Department: "We heard some rumors in the community that there had been some sexual misconduct involving some high school members out of town."
Chief Kirby says his detectives immediately called Tooele High administrators who confirmed they already knew, a concerned parent came to them earlier in the week. Administrators handed over the evidence immediately, which included a videotape.
Ron Kirby, Chief: "Two of our investigators have viewed it and have confirmed there are some very disturbing images on there that warrant a criminal investigation."
At this point investigators won't say how many students are involved, but we know there were at least six players, and at least one victim.
Mike Johnsen, Asst. Superintendent of Schools: “This is of great concern to us and has impact on the whole community.”
School officials seem to be taking it hard; the police chief knows there is a tough road ahead for all involved.
Ron Kirby: "This is a terrible case for a couple of reasons. One is because the lives of the kids that are going to be impacted, all of them are going to be impacted. I'm just anxious as much as possible to be able to protect especially the victims and all of the kids that are underage."
The Washington County Sheriff's Office will actually be the lead agency on the investigation since it happened in southern Utah. The chief in Tooele says there can be charges pressed there for possessing the tape, which would include exploitation of a minor, but it's expected much more serious charges will be filed in Washington County.
